Coronavirus Vaccinations In Delaware County: Latest Updates

Updated Friday, Jan. 22

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — Delaware County has been working to provide coronavirus vaccination for its workers and residents. However, many questions remain among those eager to be vaccinated.

Below are the latest details on vaccine administration in Delaware County.

How Many Have Gotten The Vaccine?

Since vaccination distribution began in late December, 16,626 vaccines were administered in Delaware County as of Friday.

Who Gets Vaccinated And When?

The Chester County Health Department, which is overseeing Delaware County's health needs for the time being, is still in Phase 1A of vaccine distribution but said late last week it is eager to move into the next phase.

Recently, the health department said it would follow new vaccination guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Health by including those 65 and older and those ages 16 to 64 with certain underlying medical conditions in the 1A phase.

Below are the medical conditions that allow for 1A vaccination:

• Cancer
• Chronic kidney disease
• COPD
• Down Syndrome
• Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
• Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant or from blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, or use of other immune weakening medicines
• Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2 or higher but < 40 kg/m2)
• Severe Obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2)
• Pregnancy
• Sickle cell disease
• Smoking
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Adding these new groups makes more than 94,000 people age 65 and older and approximately 80,000 people age 16-64 with certain medical conditions eligible for the vaccine. Those in Phase 1A account for 40% of the population.

Despite the change in Phase 1A eligibility, not brought additional vaccines are not being allocated to Delawre County.

This week, Delaware County received 1,200 doses and expected to receive 2,000 next week.

"We remain eager to move to Phase 1B as quickly as possible however we must be sure we can do so without being limited by our vaccine supply," the department added.

Again, public health authorities have been unable to establish dates for the phased roll-outs because they must wait on vaccine supplies to arrive here.

In Delaware County, 1,072 have died of the coronavirus to date, and 716 of those who died were in long-term care, according to the latest data.

Phase 1A includes:

• Coroner, Medical Examiner, and Funeral Staff
• EMS Providers
• Healthcare Personnel
• Long-Term Care Residents

Phase 1B includes:

• Clergy and other essential support for houses of worship
• Corrections Staff
• County and Municipal Administration Staff
• Educators/Education Staff
• Facilities and Sanitation Staff
• Firefighters
• Food and Agriculture Staff
• Grocery Store Staff
• Individuals caring for children or adults in early childhood and adult day programs.
• Individuals in congregate settings not otherwise specified as long-term care facilities and persons receiving home and community-based services
• Law Enforcement
• Manufacturing Staff
• Transit Staff
• U.S. Postal Service Staff

Health officials are updating the Phase 1A and 1B Interest Surveys to reflect changes in vaccine recommendations.

The updated survey is available here.

Those who already submitted the vaccine interest form for Group 1B whose status has now been changed to Group 1A do not need to fill out the survey again; information submitted for Group 1B will be moved up to Group 1A. Anyone who filled out the survey will be notified when appointment scheduling is available.

More information on the phases can be found here. Chester County's phased distribution of the vaccine is based on CDC research recommendations.

Where Can I Get Vaccinated?

The Delaware County Wellness Center, located at 125 Chester Ave. in Yeadon, will serve as a site for vaccinating the county. That site will open at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 27. Additional vaccination sites will be set up in Aston, Chester, and other locations in the county. Details on more sites are yet to be released.

Hospitals around the county are also vaccinating staff as part of Phase 1A

Residents are also encouraged to monitor the Pennsylvania Vaccine Provider Map for other possible locations of vaccine providers in the county.

Additional Information

The county on Jan. 25 launched its COVID-19 Call Center.

Residents, businesses, and organizations can contact the center at 484-276-2100 or Covid19Resources@co.delaware.pa.us from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Get more details on the call center here.

Officials reiterated the vaccine is not a cure for the virus. Rather, it is another tool in the fight against the virus. The public is urged not to relax other safety precautions because vaccines are available.

Health officials encourage everyone to continue to wear a mask, wash or sanitize hands often and practice 6-foot distancing to help keep the virus from spreading.

There is no cost to be vaccinated, said officials last week.

Story by Marlene Lang